A healthy community supports our local businesses and a long time ago we realized that if we wanted to do a good job serving the business community, we needed to serve the entire community

This month's newsletter offers a great demonstration of that commitment. AEDC has been honored to support a number of community projects over the years that have improved our quality of life and continued to make this a great place to live and do business. I was also recently appointed to the Redwood Parks Association Board of Directors and will do my part to support our parks as a vital local asset, which plays a critical role in increasing quality of life and attracting visitors that support our local economy.

When you read the list of loyal and generous Lemonade Day supporters recognized this month, it is clear that others in the community also recognize and support valuable community efforts. My thanks to all of them in helping to support and grow our next generation of young local entrepreneurs.

-Ross

AEDC Client Spotlight

Salt Fish House

Salt Fish House, located in the former Hunan Plaza location in Arcata, opened its doors to friends and family on January 12 and welcomed the community in to dine on January 16. "It is going really well," said owner Dan Wiley. "We're getting a great turnout and have a full house pretty much every night."

Wiley brought over thirteen years of restaurant experience to this newest venture, including owing his own successful Italian restaurant in Colorado for three years. He also brought his desire to open another restaurant with him when he relocated to Trinidad in 2012 but took the time to learn the local market first. "Salt is the only seafood-only restaurant in Arcata (excluding Sushi)," Wiley pointed out. "It is clear we're filling an unmet niche."

When Wiley took over the space in the historic building, he worked with Sara Atkins on a new design. He then hired Dan Marsh Construction and Alchemy Construction to complete the project.

Wiley said his prior experience lead him to expect long hours and hard work, but admits he did not anticipate the volume of new business- a very pleasant surprise. He attributes some of his early success to the buzz and excitement of having a new Arcata eatery but plans to keep customers coming back by offering good food at a good price. Wiley said he is also paying attention to customer feedback and making adjustments as needed- such as installing new acoustic tiles to quiet the venue. This attention to detail is paying off with many repeat customers already.

Please contact Susan Seaman for information on how YOU can support our youth entrepreneurs by sponsoring Lemonade Day

susans@aedc1.org or 707-822-4616, ext. 12

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AEDC News

AEDC Director Appointed to

Redwood Parks Association BOD

AEDC Executive Director Ross Welch was recently appointed to the Redwood Parks Association (RPA) Board of Directors. The RPA is a non-profit cooperating association established to foster understanding, enjoyment and stewardship of public lands through educational outreach, visitor services and support of partners entrusted with the care of public lands along California's north coast.

"As somebody who wants to see a strong economy here, we have to remember that quality of life is the reason so many of us choose to live here, build businesses or just visit. This is undoubtedly intertwined with the redwoods," Welch said. "I have spent decades driving through the redwoods and it's always awe inspiring. Supporting RPA supports public lands and their managers and helps guarantee that future generations can enjoy the redwoods for years to come. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve on the board of such an important organization."

In January 2016, AEDC's program director Susan Seaman was welcomed as an ambassador for the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) ambassador. The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) is the premier statewide professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members' ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients. CALED's membership consists of public and private organizations and individuals involved in economic development: the business of creating and retaining jobs.

Seaman's primary role of the Ambassador will be to survey her peers and other regional economic development stakeholders to identify the region's needs to help plan an Economic Development event. The CALED staff will help develop the agenda, invite trainers, and promote the event to CALED's network and a senior staff or board representative will also be on site to assist at the event.

"This is a great opportunity to bring in trainers from outside of the community to provide a fresh perspective on the economic development issues we determine are important. It's also a great opportunity for our active group of economic development professionals to show the CALED staff all of the great work that is being done locally."

Other regional ambassadors come from the Cities of Temecula and San Bernardino; and Mono County.

CALED supports its members through information, technical assistance, training, education, and research. For more information, visit http://www.caled.org/

Partner News

The Humboldt Del Norte Film Commission is responsible for bringing film and other events to Humboldt County. Each film brings with it an economic impact on our community and in this fiscal year alone (July 1), 18 shoots have brought in approximately $1 million in direct spending to the region, and about $3 million before the money leaves.

In celebration of 100 years of Humboldt County Films, the Humboldt/Del Norte Film Commission will be hosting THE Oscar party you've been waiting for!

Past and present come together to celebrate and to watch the Oscars in style, as the historic Eureka Theater partners with the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission to present their annual Red Carpet Gala!

The event begins at 5:00 PM as guests arrive and walk the red carpet into the Streamline Moderne lobby of the Eureka Theater. Inside the lobby, guests can mingle and schmooze with fellow movie fans and social butterflies, sample scrumptious hors d'oeuvres, and quaff fabulous cocktails and champagne from the no-host bar.

ABC's live telecast of the 88th Annual Academy Awards will begin at 5:30 PM, projected on the big screen in the Eureka Theater auditorium. Pesky commercials will be replaced with our own local awards, plus a few surprises. Our emcee for the evening will be actor/writer Kurtis Bedford (HBO's Getting On).

Advance tickets are $25, available online at Brown Paper Tickets (link below) or locally at Annex 39 Antiques, next door to the Eureka Theater. Tickets at the door will be $30.

So hire the sitter, get glammed up, and show your support for the Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission and the restoration of the historic Eureka Theater!

And, if you want added fun to the event, participate in the commission's scavenger hunt for a chance to win great prizes at the ceremony.